Myeongnyundang Hall of Changpyeonghyanggyo Local Confucian School, Damyang

Changpyeonghyanggyo Local Confucian School in Damyang has undergone repeated renovations since its founding, and repair records show that its present form was established in 1689, the 15th year of King Sukjong. The school's layout is distinctively arranged in a 'ㅁ' (square) shape: a courtyard in front of Daeseongjeon Hall, the main shrine hall, is enclosed by a wall, with the Dongjae and Seojae, the east and west dormitories, placed to either side outside the wall, while Myeongnyundang Hall stands slightly off the central axis. Myeongnyundang Hall has four bays across the front and three bays along the side (two bays on the right), under a gabled roof. As no wind boards were fitted to the gable ends, the timber frame is left clearly visible, and the front elevation facing Daeseongjeon is entirely open, without any window frames or doors — a feature rarely seen in Confucian schools of the Honam region. In the joinery of Myeongnyundang's members, a heotcheomcha, an auxiliary bracket arm, is inserted into the head of each column, with a sory, a small supporting block, placed on its outer end to carry the haenggongcheomcha, a horizontal bracket arm. At Daeseongjeon the underside of this bracket arm is shaped simply, in an ox-head form, whereas at Myeongnyundang it is carved with elaborate curves, showing a deliberate intent toward ornamentation. Overall, the bracket sets project forward to support the load of the long eaves, achieving structural stability, and the tips of the bracket arms are more sharply pointed than at Daeseongjeon, taking an ox-tongue shape. Above the first tier of brackets is an ornamental cloud-shaped member attached to the outer purlin, further enhancing the decorative effect; the finely carved wave-patterned king-post above is especially beautiful and sturdy.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Damyang, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Treasure · 보물